A Busy Day

Today was a busy day in Rabat.  After breakfast we headed out to MACECE (Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange).  There we learned about amazing opportunities for both American and Moroccan students and teachers.  There are so many opportunities to go abroad starting in high school, so if you have a wonder and curiosity about the world and you are willing to work hard, you can find a programs that will support you in global endeavors.
After our visit at MACECE, we had lunch, then headed to the U.S Embassy.  The U.S Embassy in Morocco is a beautiful building, and approximately 400 people work there.  We met with some of the staff that work with education.  One of the big programs they support gives underprivileged children in other countries (including Morocco) English classes for two years.  English has become very popular in Morocco and is now being taught in schools along with Arabic and French (starting in 9th grade).  I learned that if you want a job in a global environment, you can become a foreign service officer.  The website  careers.state.gov is where you could start looking into such a career.
After our visit at the embassy, we went to a cultural site called the Hassan II Mausoleum and Hassan Tower.  The mausoleum is where previous kings are buried in a beautifully tiled building that is guarded by men in uniform.  The tower was intended to be the tallest minaret in the world when construction started on it in the year 1195, but it was left unfinished.  Today it is used for the call of prayer for Muslims, which occurs publically 5 times a day.

Everywhere in Rabat there are Moroccan flags.  Thousands of them!  The Moroccans are warm and friendly people.  One thing they are very proud of is that they have had over 1,000 years of independence without being colonized.  France and Spain signed "protective papers" with the Kingdom of Morocco, but never ruled outright here. 











 
Now to answer some of your questions:  
Chase R, Morocco is a capitalist country based on supply and demand.  Agriculture, telecommunications, and tourism are big industries here.  
Sapphire Z. and Emma T, as far as pets they aren't that popular here.  Cats and dogs seem to be common more as strays than house pets...

Question of the Day:  The "Treaty of Peace and Friendship" between Morocco and the United States is the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history.  What year was it signed?